The Devotion of the Firstfruits

Offertory
John W. Ritenbaugh
Given 30-Sep-04; 20 minutes

We must be able to distinguish a central focus from a marginal focus, putting God at the center and everything else in the periphery.

The 'Rest' of Hebrews 4

Our Rest Is Yet Unfulfilled
John W. Ritenbaugh
Given 30-Sep-04; 73 minutes

If we patiently endure, trusting in God's faithfulness to bring us to completion, there will be a time when we will attain the rest we desperately yearn for.

The Highway of Holiness

Remembering Where We Came From
Mark Schindler
Given 30-Sep-04; 15 minutes

We must remain zealous for God's truth, continuously asking Him to anoint our eyes with eye salve, helping us to use this precious time zealously.

I Know Your Works

Jesus Christ's Words To His People
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Given 30-Sep-04; 84 minutes

Contrary to Protestant understanding, our works emphatically do count - showing or demonstrating (not just telling) that we will be obedient.

The Joy of the Lord Is Our Strength!

Joy Springs from the Relationship
Martin G. Collins
Given 01-Oct-04; 73 minutes

The true source of joy does not consist on any worldly commodity, or any self-centered, hedonistic pursuit, but instead a spiritual gift, bestowed by God.

Repentance: The Elements of Change

A Change of Mind, Heart, and Conduct
Clyde Finklea
Given 01-Oct-04; 18 minutes

True repentance is always coupled with faith and is a continuous turning away from sin, mortifying the flesh, and turning toward righteousness.

Hebrews, Love, and the Ephesian Church

Returning to the First Love
John W. Ritenbaugh
Given 02-Oct-04; 76 minutes

Like the Ephesians, the weary veterans in Hebrews were becoming apathetic through outside pressures, losing their former zeal and devotion to Christ.

Emulate God's Lovingkindness for Unity's Sake

Our Betrothal to Christ
Bill Onisick
Given 02-Oct-04; 15 minutes

Our betrothal to Christ mimics the customs of the traditional Jewish wedding covenant.

The Government of God

The Solution to Mankind's Problems
Mike Ford
Given 02-Oct-04; 19 minutes

Israel's unfortunate and flawed choice of a monarchy in I Samuel 8 burdened the people with confiscatory taxes, conscription, and servitude.

Why Are We Here? (2004)

Captivity and Regathering
John O. Reid
Given 02-Oct-04; 76 minutes

Keeping the Feast of Tabernacles includes temporary dwellings, rejoicing before God, and learning to fear God and faithfully keep His law.

Meditation: Preventing Spiritual Identity Theft

David F. Maas
Given 03-Oct-04; 37 minutes

If we don't cultivate the ability to meditate on a regular basis, we run the very real risk of losing our spiritual identity and letting someone take our crown.

Understanding Unity

Living Like God
John W. Ritenbaugh
Given 04-Oct-04; 70 minutes

We must separate ourselves from the world, sacrificing ourselves to God's purpose to become at one with God, waiting for Him to unify us to others.

News of the Work (2004)

The Household of God
David C. Grabbe
Given 04-Oct-04; 16 minutes

We must learn to provide for the spiritual needs of the household of God, emulating God's characteristics of providence and faithfulness.

Keeping the Truth Pure

Using Right Reason and Source for Correct Doctrine
Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)
Given 05-Oct-04; 39 minutes

If we allow doctrine to be contaminated with man's flawed reason, it will defile the truth. Job's friends used profane sources in their arguments.

Noah

Resisting an Idolatrous Culture
James Beaubelle
Given 05-Oct-04; 14 minutes

We must emulate Noah in order to respond to the end time events, refusing to be caught up in the wickedness and the distractions of the world around him.

How Our Joy May Be Full!

Steps For Increasing Joy In Our Lives
Martin G. Collins
Given 06-Oct-04; 78 minutes

Joy and gladness are gifts from God, resulting from Christ living His life in us and helping us to love the brethren. This love is perfected through suffering.

New Heavens and New Earth

The Futures of Physical and Spiritual Israel
John W. Ritenbaugh
Given 07-Oct-04; 76 minutes

Following Jacob's Trouble, God will regather a remnant of the outcasts, breaking their yokes and bringing them to repentance and rest in the Promised Land.

Sacrificing to Build the Temple

Offertory
John O. Reid
Given 07-Oct-04; 19 minutes

David asked for a special offering for the construction of the House of the Lord. We are building a far more magnificent temple, namely the spiritual temple of God.

Judgment According to Works

Deeds Do Matter
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Given 07-Oct-04; 69 minutes

Because God sees the content of our hearts, nothing escapes His attention. He mercifully judges over a lifetime of behaviors, not just isolated incidents.